Matthew

I Thessalonians

LeRoy Eims

This book is a great source of help for young Christians. Paul wrote it to encourage and establish a very young church in the basic truths of the Gospel, to inspire it to progress in the power of holy living, and to instruct it in the doctrine of the second coming of Christ.

When Paul preached the gospel in that city he did not come in word only. That is, it was not a theoretical message but a message of power in the Holy Spirit, preached with great assurance. I'm sure one of the fundamentals of Paul's assurance was the fact that he knew the gospel to be the power of God unto salvation to every one that believed.

Paul's life was an example of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. The response and results of the message were astounding. They received the word in the midst of much affliction and tribulation and became devoted followers of the Lord. They themselves became examples of what Christians should be like to the believers of Macedonia and Greece.

The Lord gave them a great missionary zeal and they began to spread the gospel to the regions beyond them. Their work of faith led them to turn to God from idols. Their labor of love led them to serve the living and true God in the joy and love that only the Holy Spirit can give.

When Paul arrived in Thessalonica he went to the Jews first. "Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few." (Acts 17:1‑4)

As a result of his success the Jews took action against Paul. “But the Jews who believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city in an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people." (Acts 17:5)

To protect Paul and Silas, the believers sent them away by night, but the persecution of believers continued. "For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus; for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us, and they please not God, and are contrary to all men." (I Thessalonians 2:14,15)

Paul had become concerned for this young group of believers and had sent Timothy back to see how they were doing. Timothy came back with the word that they were doing great. Some had died. Others were wondering how those who had died would benefit from the Lord's coming. This was a doctrine that Paul had evidently stressed in Thessalonica. It was then that Paul wrote this letter to assure them that those who died would be at no disadvantage when the Lord comes.

Those who died would indeed have a part in His glorious coming. "'But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them who are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them who are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (I Thessalonians 4:13‑17)

The doctrine of the second coming of Christ runs throughout the New Testament. At the Last Supper, Jesus spoke plainly of this event. "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:2,3)

When He ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives, these disciples were again assured by messengers from heaven that as they saw Him go, so He would return again. “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:10,11)

All throughout the Acts, the epistles, and the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, this truth is proclaimed again and again. What is equally to the point and especially vital is the teaching of the Bible that this blessed hope should have a profound effect upon our spiritual life day by day.

It is interesting to note that the last prayer of the Bible is for the return of our Lord (Revelation 22:20). It is true that those who give earnest attention to this doctrine in the spirit of its unfolding in the scriptures, realize its inspirational value and in their hearts is a joy unquenchable.

Study this book for spiritual nourishment and growth.